Diary Entry #3 October 6th, 1795 Oh how depressing I was feeling after my last performance for my theatre production company! Due to pecuniary issues, the director informed me, along with few of my fellow actors that we were to be relieved of our duties. They knew I was in dire need of financial support but the assistant director said he and his other staff members had no choice. I was evidently shocked; I was told by other people that I possessed innate acting ability, potential and so much more! I guess they just could not discern any of my talents. What now? Fortunately, the director was contrite enough to give me some francs to make a living for at least a week. He reassured me by saying that I could come back for some more money if I was desperate enough but I knew he did not actually mean it. It is not as if the director's financial situation is brighter than mine. I implored every one of the staff members to allow at least my sleeping on the theatre. They acquiesced but the need of finding a new job made me anxious. My ambition was to be a nonpareil actor in France and I was not going to give up. To purge this memory, I decided to drink wine for the first time. I could not afford one in the past but since I now had some francs left over, I thought, why not? On my way, I heard people whispering, "13 Vendémiaire." I didn't know what it was but I surmised that it was something pertinent to politics. I went into a wine shop and saw a sharp-looking vintner named Pierre Leroy. We casually conversed and I told him of my theatrical issues that were bothering me but he seemed indifferent to them. While I was choosing which wine to buy, he suddenly asked me if I heard anything about the "13 Vendémiaire." Wow, this must be something big! I have focused too much on excelling in my excerpts that I was oblivious to huge political changes that were occurring all over France. He explicated how the event took place this morning and young Napoleon Bonaparte (now deemed as "Hero of the Hour") defeated all those nefarious Royalists. Wow, it sounds like Napoleon is ought to be a great ruler of our country! Monsieur Leroy and I continued talking about other revolutionary affairs that had taken place before, such as The National Assembly, The Tennis Court Oath and the execution of King Louis. As our discourse came to end, he asked me if my life improved or not. Thinking profoundly, I answered that the economy and stagflation has never improved and my financial future has been getting darker everyday. The equilibrium price is so high that literally every penny that I make goes towards bread! Absolutely ludicrous! The fiscal policy has also not been developed, to my disappointment. I might have seemed ecstatic that the king had died and that we, the third estates rightfully earned our rights but my personal life has not improved at all, if not, it has turned even worse. In the end, I bought the most expensive wine I could afford, in form of gratitude and walked out.
Diary Entry #2 January 20, 1793
Wow! How could I have ever imagined meeting my long-lost sister? My theatre company travelled to Versailles to present a French satire performance. I was obviously playing a subordinate role in the play but someone seemed vaguely familiar as I recited my excerpt and a haze surrounded my memory. After the performance, I ran to dispel the mist that had obfuscated me. She shouted at top of her lungs, "Is that you Tristan?" I responded with enthusiasm, "Sister Elisabeth, is that you?" We hugged while shedding tears. I had been separated from her for about six years and I have finally met her! How emotional this moment was! Fortunately, I had lots of time to interact with her as there were roughly three hours until our curtain call for the second performance. As soon as we went outside, we witnessed about 1200 people horsemen escorting Louis XIV. That despicable knave who locked out third estate representatives from convening at the Estates' General assembly! There were rumors that Louis XIV was soon to be put under the Guillotine and maybe today was the day! Even though my sister had mixed opinions pertinent to the execution of Louis, I was definitely excited! The great France would now be ruled by rightful leaders! The National Convention's condemnation of Louis had been utterly justified! Oh my fellow actors had told me that he has ruined the nation! I swear he has been the most unsuitable ruler to govern France! I am sure Monsieur Montague would be ecstatic! I felt satisfied when the executioners put the blade through Louis XIV's necks (after encountering some difficulty). What a day! I promised my sister that I would meet her again sometime in the near future.
Diary Entry #1 June 25th 1789
Politics is a subject that pulled my verboseness out of my reticent nature. I became interested in it over the past couple of weeks after my co-actors started talking about it to me. Today was no different--except for the fact that unlike other days, I had a solemn, political discourse with a
cabinetmaker who I had never met before. His name was Monsieur Montague and he happened to make wooden props such as furniture for our theatre production. He was floundering about on the aisle, carrying numerous chairs while singing a jolly tune of which I only understood "Tennis Court Oath." He asked me if I knew anything about the Tennis Court Oath. I was oblivious to such an event and how foolish I sounded! He gave out a deep sigh and started to explain about it. According to him, the king had apparently convened representatives from the three estates--to form The Estates General. However, the king and two filthy-rich estates prevented our honorable third-estate representatives from entering the assigned assembly hall by locking them out. I was shocked and furious! How could they! This was absolute inequality! But I was reassured when he proudly told me that such malevolent actions did not deter them! I have heard all horrible things about clergies and nobles and maybe the rumors are all true! He mentioned that they instead moved their meeting to an indoor tennis court. Before Monsieur Montague left, he said the third-estate representatives demanded King Louis XVI to adopt a "constitution!" I did not know what "constitution" meant but since our heroes were advocating it, it must have been something positive or beneficial to us and the country! To my disappointment, Monsieur Montague had to leave to his shop to carve another wooden prop but promised that he would come back sometime in the future to tell me more stories and news around the area. I went to excitedly tell co-actors the story of the Tennis Court Oath and they were as interested as I was! Isn't it right that since third estate make up most of the population, we should govern the country? Just because the clergies and nobles have power and money does not mean that they get to do whatever they want! No worries, most of the performers I know are in favor of all the sovereignty vested into us! Les aristocrats au la lanterne!
Name: Tristan Petit Age: 17 Gender: Male Occupation: Actor Social Class: Third Estate Financial situation: Utterly destitute, only has enough money to afford sustenance and has a dark financial future Appearance: Natural brown hair in a style of bleached fin, dark eyebrows, looks older than his actual age Location**Map of France**,**Map of Paris**Must be in the Paris region: Neuilly-sur-Seine Habitual locations: (where are you found most of the time?): In theatre building as he resides there most of the time. Daily routine: (typical day for you): -Wakes up early to practice his part in the theatre play -Performs twice a day as a subordinate character -Rests and talks about politics with his fellow actors and actresses -Sleeps on the stage with most of the performers (excluding the backstage staff) Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Usually tremendously gloomy, reticent and aloof. However, when he performs or talks about politics, fiery confidence and loquaciousness rises out of his heart. He is very emotional because of his innate acting abilities. He regards himself as hopeless and is low on self-esteem. Because of this, he is easy to be influenced by others’ viewpoint on specific issues. Past/individual-family history: Separated from his family at an age of eleven because an unknown drama director took him away after being in awe with his appearance. His parents acquiesced and gave the drama director most of the money they had. They had to agree since there were too many children to take care of. However, the director turned out to be a fraud and abandoned Tristan on the street few weeks later. After the trauma, he found his way to Le Montaparnasse Theatre, where they allowed him to perform for a meager sum and he thus continues to play a subordinate role in tragedies ever since. Family: (spouse? siblings?...): Has four siblings but he lost contact with all of them. Social relations with your own and other classes (people you deal with or know about in the class, AND your opinions and feelings about them): He is detached from others in terms of personal friendships. While he held no political views in the past, his co-actors influenced his political stance greatly and he had begun more and more to loathe first estate clergy and second estate nobles. Religion: None at the moment but resents catholicism after he had been convinced by his co-workers (actors) that they are the center of instigating inequality Education: Only until primary education Languages you speak: French and a little English (he sometimes performed monologues that were written in English) Main privileges and/or hardships: He possesses no handy skills other than acting so he is quite useless outside of the theatre industry. His gloomy financial future encumbers him greatly
Oh how depressing I was feeling after my last performance for my theatre production company! Due to pecuniary issues, the director informed me, along with few of my fellow actors that we were to be relieved of our duties. They knew I was in dire need of financial support but the assistant director said he and his other staff members had no choice. I was evidently shocked; I was told by other people that I possessed innate acting ability, potential and so much more! I guess they just could not discern any of my talents. What now? Fortunately, the director was contrite enough to give me some francs to make a living for at least a week. He reassured me by saying that I could come back for some more money if I was desperate enough but I knew he did not actually mean it. It is not as if the director's financial situation is brighter than mine. I implored every one of the staff members to allow at least my sleeping on the theatre. They acquiesced but the need of finding a new job made me anxious. My ambition was to be a nonpareil actor in France and I was not going to give up. To purge this memory, I decided to drink wine for the first time. I could not afford one in the past but since I now had some francs left over, I thought, why not? On my way, I heard people whispering, "13 Vendémiaire." I didn't know what it was but I surmised that it was something pertinent to politics. I went into a wine shop and saw a sharp-looking vintner named Pierre Leroy. We casually conversed and I told him of my theatrical issues that were bothering me but he seemed indifferent to them. While I was choosing which wine to buy, he suddenly asked me if I heard anything about the "13 Vendémiaire." Wow, this must be something big! I have focused too much on excelling in my excerpts that I was oblivious to huge political changes that were occurring all over France. He explicated how the event took place this morning and young Napoleon Bonaparte (now deemed as "Hero of the Hour") defeated all those nefarious Royalists. Wow, it sounds like Napoleon is ought to be a great ruler of our country! Monsieur Leroy and I continued talking about other revolutionary affairs that had taken place before, such as The National Assembly, The Tennis Court Oath and the execution of King Louis. As our discourse came to end, he asked me if my life improved or not. Thinking profoundly, I answered that the economy and stagflation has never improved and my financial future has been getting darker everyday. The equilibrium price is so high that literally every penny that I make goes towards bread! Absolutely ludicrous! The fiscal policy has also not been developed, to my disappointment. I might have seemed ecstatic that the king had died and that we, the third estates rightfully earned our rights but my personal life has not improved at all, if not, it has turned even worse. In the end, I bought the most expensive wine I could afford, in form of gratitude and walked out.
Diary Entry #2 January 20, 1793
Wow! How could I have ever imagined meeting my long-lost sister? My theatre company travelled to Versailles to present a French satire performance. I was obviously playing a subordinate role in the play but someone seemed vaguely familiar as I recited my excerpt and a haze surrounded my memory. After the performance, I ran to dispel the mist that had obfuscated me. She shouted at top of her lungs, "Is that you Tristan?" I responded with enthusiasm, "Sister Elisabeth, is that you?" We hugged while shedding tears. I had been separated from her for about six years and I have finally met her! How emotional this moment was! Fortunately, I had lots of time to interact with her as there were roughly three hours until our curtain call for the second performance. As soon as we went outside, we witnessed about 1200 people horsemen escorting Louis XIV. That despicable knave who locked out third estate representatives from convening at the Estates' General assembly! There were rumors that Louis XIV was soon to be put under the Guillotine and maybe today was the day! Even though my sister had mixed opinions pertinent to the execution of Louis, I was definitely excited! The great France would now be ruled by rightful leaders! The National Convention's condemnation of Louis had been utterly justified! Oh my fellow actors had told me that he has ruined the nation! I swear he has been the most unsuitable ruler to govern France! I am sure Monsieur Montague would be ecstatic! I felt satisfied when the executioners put the blade through Louis XIV's necks (after encountering some difficulty). What a day! I promised my sister that I would meet her again sometime in the near future.
Diary Entry #1 June 25th 1789
Politics is a subject that pulled my verboseness out of my reticent nature. I became interested in it over the past couple of weeks after my co-actors started talking about it to me. Today was no different--except for the fact that unlike other days, I had a solemn, political discourse with a
cabinetmaker who I had never met before. His name was Monsieur Montague and he happened to make wooden props such as furniture for our theatre production. He was floundering about on the aisle, carrying numerous chairs while singing a jolly tune of which I only understood "Tennis Court Oath." He asked me if I knew anything about the Tennis Court Oath. I was oblivious to such an event and how foolish I sounded! He gave out a deep sigh and started to explain about it. According to him, the king had apparently convened representatives from the three estates--to form The Estates General. However, the king and two filthy-rich estates prevented our honorable third-estate representatives from entering the assigned assembly hall by locking them out. I was shocked and furious! How could they! This was absolute inequality! But I was reassured when he proudly told me that such malevolent actions did not deter them! I have heard all horrible things about clergies and nobles and maybe the rumors are all true! He mentioned that they instead moved their meeting to an indoor tennis court. Before Monsieur Montague left, he said the third-estate representatives demanded King Louis XVI to adopt a "constitution!" I did not know what "constitution" meant but since our heroes were advocating it, it must have been something positive or beneficial to us and the country! To my disappointment, Monsieur Montague had to leave to his shop to carve another wooden prop but promised that he would come back sometime in the future to tell me more stories and news around the area. I went to excitedly tell co-actors the story of the Tennis Court Oath and they were as interested as I was! Isn't it right that since third estate make up most of the population, we should govern the country? Just because the clergies and nobles have power and money does not mean that they get to do whatever they want! No worries, most of the performers I know are in favor of all the sovereignty vested into us!
Les aristocrats au la lanterne!
Name: Tristan Petit
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Occupation: Actor
Social Class: Third Estate
Financial situation: Utterly destitute, only has enough money to afford sustenance and has a dark financial future
Appearance: Natural brown hair in a style of bleached fin, dark eyebrows, looks older than his actual age
Location **Map of France**, **Map of Paris** Must be in the Paris region: Neuilly-sur-Seine
Habitual locations: (where are you found most of the time?): In theatre building as he resides there most of the time.
Daily routine: (typical day for you):
-Wakes up early to practice his part in the theatre play
-Performs twice a day as a subordinate character
-Rests and talks about politics with his fellow actors and actresses
-Sleeps on the stage with most of the performers (excluding the backstage staff)
Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Usually tremendously gloomy, reticent and aloof. However, when he performs or talks about politics, fiery confidence and loquaciousness rises out of his heart. He is very emotional because of his innate acting abilities. He regards himself as hopeless and is low on self-esteem. Because of this, he is easy to be influenced by others’ viewpoint on specific issues.
Past/individual-family history: Separated from his family at an age of eleven because an unknown drama director took him away after being in awe with his appearance. His parents acquiesced and gave the drama director most of the money they had. They had to agree since there were too many children to take care of. However, the director turned out to be a fraud and abandoned Tristan on the street few weeks later. After the trauma, he found his way to Le Montaparnasse Theatre, where they allowed him to perform for a meager sum and he thus continues to play a subordinate role in tragedies ever since.
Family: (spouse? siblings?...): Has four siblings but he lost contact with all of them.
Social relations with your own and other classes (people you deal with or know about in the class, AND your opinions and feelings about them): He is detached from others in terms of personal friendships. While he held no political views in the past, his co-actors influenced his political stance greatly and he had begun more and more to loathe first estate clergy and second estate nobles.
Religion: None at the moment but resents catholicism after he had been convinced by his co-workers (actors) that they are the center of instigating inequality
Education: Only until primary education
Languages you speak: French and a little English (he sometimes performed monologues that were written in English)
Main privileges and/or hardships:
He possesses no handy skills other than acting so he is quite useless outside of the theatre industry.
His gloomy financial future encumbers him greatly